What am I Counting

Ah gentle readers, we'll see if any of you are still reading my blog. You may have noticed my tweets to Facebook my counting up this week starting Monday. I've gotten the curious "what?" to the "that many pushups, huh?" comments. Perfect! Those were just the tease.

Here's the whole story, that I've really only shared with a few people.

A week ago Friday I went to get some blood work done. This is normal as I've had cholesterol issues and we want to watch some organ functions due to the medications I take on a regular basis. No biggie, right? Well, I did my fasting, and headed in, waited the requisite time and then the technician needled me and took a single vial of blood. Still no biggie, normal procedure, etc.

Friday afternoon I got a call from my doctor's head nurse with some news. I was told at that time that my liver tested as functioning abnormally and I need to stop all alcohol intake and acetaminophen intake as well. At this point I panicked, while still talking to the nurse. As many of you know I take Vicodin as prescribed, three times a day, and Vicodin has oodles of  acetaminophen as part of the dose. My panic, the pain that the Vicodin helps hold back, and just as importantly, the withdrawals from said drug by stopping taking it. I voiced my concern to the nurse and she took some notes and went off to talk to my Dr. some more.

A few panic and anxiety filled hours later the nurse called me back with new directions from the Dr. which follow: 1. Stop drinking any and all alcohol, period. 2. It is okay to continue to take the Vicodin as prescribed (whew!). 3. Come back in for another test in 3 months. Okay, all doable, I don't really drink much anyway, and the others are a no brainer.

Then the nurse tells me that weight gain can also add to the liver function abnormality. Oh Crap! I have gained some weight as of late, about 20 lb, eating poorly and not exercising at all. So with this information I determined I need to take care of me and make some major lifestyle changes. The biggest of these is to lose the weight and exercise more.

So, back to the counting. On Monday I began my journey with a major change in my diet and working out. My workout plan is hardcore. Many may know of it, but if not, Google it, it's readily available information. I have started Crossfit. I have been counting the number of days to the Crossfit box (gym) I have decided to join (I am still in the first free week portion). I am learning the moves, and working out HARD. It is a very intense and focused workout, done as a group, with a coach, and a prescribed workout of the day (WOD).

To help ensure my success I am taking the next session of pool off, to not be around all the drinking that can ensue, as well as to ensure that on Friday's I actually get out of bed at 4:15 so I can make the 5:00 am workout, get home and shower and still be to work by 7 at the latest. The good news is that I am only losing 45 minutes of sleep each morning. But WOW, this is really hardcore, and I am sore, and exhausted this week from it all.

By the way, I LOVE Crossfit, it is exactly what I want and need in a workout to get me motivated, and to get me into the best shape of my life, lose the weight and then some, and hopefully help get my liver functioning correctly again. Long story for some short posts, but there you have it. Right now I choose me, and remaking me and my body into a vessel that can and will support a nice long and happy life.